Quebec Considering Further Investment In Bombardier CSeries

Quebec said it will consider contributing further to Bombardier's CSeries jet, after investing in the troubled aircraft last year, Canadian media reported.

Quebec's Transport Minister Jacques Daoust said in the province's parliament that he would be willing to help Bombardier once again if the Canadian government failed to invest in the Canadian plane and train manufacturer by March 31.

"If by March 31 the federal government isn't there, the Quebec government will have a decision to make. But we have always supported Bombardier. It is a jewel of our economy and we will make sure it continues that way," said Daoust who was quoted by the French-language Journal de Montréal.

Bombardier accounts for about 40,000 direct and indirect jobs in Quebec, with average salaries almost double the provincial average, according to provincial data.

Daoust agreed to invest USD$1 billion in the 100-160 seat CSeries jets in October when he was Quebec's economy minister. The CSeries is expected to enter service this year, after years of delays and snowballing costs.

Canada's Liberal government is now considering whether to invest in the aircraft, which has not had a new order in more than a year.